Noise Measurements (noise + measurement)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Powered Liposuction: An Evaluation of Currently Available Instrumentation

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2002
Timothy Corcoran Flynn MD
background. Over the past several years, powered liposuction instruments have become available to the dermatologic surgeon. These instruments all move the cannula forward and backward 2,12 mm with rapidity. This motion simulates the standard human movement of the cannula and facilitates movement through the tissue. Powered liposuction may help to prevent surgeon fatigue and has recently been shown to aid in the efficacy of fat removal. objective. To compare and contrast currently available powered liposuction instruments, to obtain objective engineering data on the instruments, and to compare the instruments when used on actual liposuction cases. methods. Five currently available powered liposuction systems were evaluated by the author. Each instrument was used with a 3 mm dual side port cannula on patients undergoing tumescent liposuction. An independent engineering firm, who collected objective measurements such as weight, stroke force, temperature, and vibration measurements on the instruments, evaluated the units. Noise measurements were obtained. results. Each of the five systems showed advantages and disadvantages. Important issues were the size and weight of the units, as well as whether they were driven electrically or pneumatically. Stroke force is variable (range 9.5,30 pounds). The noise of the units ranged between 60 and 87 dB. Vibration measurements varied from instrument to instrument. Units produced a variable amount of heat ranging from 77°F to 102°F. Most instruments are autoclavable, and one system is disposable. Build quality and reliability varied with the instrument. conclusion. Instruments for powered liposuction have emerged in the last 2 years, with each instrument having distinct advantages and disadvantages. This article reviews five currently available powered liposuction instruments and presents objective measurements as well as the author's experience using the instruments. [source]


Ergonomic exposure case studies in Massachusetts fishing vessels

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue S2 2002
Scott Fulmer MS
Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders may not have been studied as much as greater risks in the dangerous environment of commercial fishing. Primary prevention of risk for these kinds of injuries and illnesses begins by a detailed understanding of what risks are likely to be common in the different fisheries, and how those risks might be reduced. Methods Ergonomic job analyses were conducted on three different types of fishing vessels in Massachusetts: gillnetting, otter trawling, and lobstering. Direct observation was used to link posture to task. Noise measurements, tool analysis, and cycle time measurements were also included. Results Production speed, materials handling, and vessel movement contributed to musculoskeletal stress by affecting observable postural deviation, repetition, and forceful exertions. Conclusions Interventions to reduce ergonomic risk factors might be possible through utilization of below deck space in certain boats, through better technology, or through simple tool adjustments. Am. J. Ind. Med. Suppl. 2:10,18, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Empirical estimate of fundamental frequencies and damping for Italian buildings

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 8 2009
Maria Rosaria Gallipoli
Abstract The aim of this work is to estimate the fundamental translational frequencies and relative damping of a large number of existing buildings, performing ambient vibration measurements. The first part of the work is devoted to the comparison of the results obtained with microtremor measurements with those obtained from earthquake recordings using four different techniques: horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio, standard spectral ratio, non-parametric damping analysis (NonPaDAn) and half bandwidth method. We recorded local earthquakes on a five floors reinforced concrete building with a pair of accelerometers located on the ground and on top floor, and then collected microtremors at the same location of the accelerometers. The agreement between the results obtained with microtremors and earthquakes has encouraged extending ambient noise measurements to a large number of buildings. We analysed the data with the above-mentioned methods to obtain the two main translational frequencies in orthogonal directions and their relative damping for 80 buildings in the urban areas of Potenza and Senigallia (Italy). The frequencies determined with different techniques are in good agreement. We do not have the same satisfactory results for the estimates of damping: the NonPaDAn provides estimates that are less dispersed and grouped around values that appear to be more realistic. Finally, we have compared the measured frequencies with other experimental results and theoretical models. Our results confirm, as reported by previous authors, that the theoretical period,height relationships overestimate the experimental data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Shear wave velocity model of the Santiago de Chile basin derived from ambient noise measurements: a comparison of proxies for seismic site conditions and amplification

GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2010
Marco Pilz
SUMMARY We determined a high-resolution 3-D S -wave velocity model for a 26 km × 12 km area in the northern part of the basin of Santiago de Chile. To reach this goal, we used microtremor recordings at 125 sites for deriving the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratios that we inverted to retrieve local S -wave velocity profiles. In the inversion procedure, we used additional geological and geophysical constraints and values of the thickness of the sedimentary cover already determined by gravimetric measurements, which were found to vary substantially over short distances in the investigated area. The resulting model was derived by interpolation with a kriging technique between the single S -wave velocity profiles and shows locally good agreement with the few existing velocity profile data, but allows the entire area, as well as deeper parts of the basin, to be represented in greater detail. The wealth of available data allowed us to check if any correlation between the S -wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m (v30S) and the slope of topography, a new technique recently proposed by Wald and Allen, exists on a local scale. We observed that while one lithology might provide a greater scatter in the velocity values for the investigated area, almost no correlation between topographic gradient and calculated v30S exists, whereas a better link is found between v30S and the local geology. Finally, we compared the v30S distribution with the MSK intensities for the 1985 Valparaiso event, pointing out that high intensities are found where the expected v30S values are low and over a thick sedimentary cover. Although this evidence cannot be generalized for all possible earthquakes, it indicates the influence of site effects modifying the ground motion when earthquakes occur well outside of the Santiago basin. [source]


Cross-correlation-based trans-impedance amplifier for current noise measurements

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 6 2009
Gino Giusi
Abstract This work proposes a cross-correlation-based trans-impedance amplifier for current noise measurements in the low-frequency range. The proposed solution is compared with the classical cross-correlation trans-impedance amplifier showing a lower background noise. Furthermore, a three-step measurement method, based on the new trans-impedance amplifier, is proposed to cancel the residual background noise. SPICE simulations and noise measurements performed on prototype circuits demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Analysis and selection criteria of BSIM4 flicker noise simulation models

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 7 2008
T. Noulis
Abstract CMOS transistors' noise performance is mainly dominated by flicker (1/f) noise. BSIM4.X MOSFET simulation model develops two distinct models, SPICE-Flicker and BSIM-Flicker, to calculate flicker noise. In this paper, these two models are analytically examined and compared to noise measurements, using an NMOS and a PMOS device fabricated in 0.6µm process by Austria Mikro Systeme (AMS). MOSFET 1/f noise measurements and the respective simulations were obtained under various bias conditions, as to study which flicker noise model is the optimum in each operating region. Measurement temperature was constant at 295,K. Comparisons suggest that in an NMOS transistor operating in the triode or saturation region, BSIM-Flicker model is accurate and therefore preferable. In a PMOS transistor, the most suitable model to describe its 1/f noise performance in the linear regime is also BSIM-Flicker, whereas SPICE-Flicker is more preferable in saturation. In NMOS transistors, the selected model provides a great accurate description of flicker noise, contrary to PMOS transistors, where simulation models appear to be quite unreliable and need further improvement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Linear-mode operation of the quantum-dot avalanche photodiode (QDAP)

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2010
David A. Ramirez
Abstract We report new results on the design, fabrication and characterization of a novel midinfrared sensor called quantum dot avalanche photodiode (QDAP). The QDAP consists of a quantum dots-in-a-well (DWELL) detector coupled with an avalanche photodiode (APD) through a tunnel barrier. In the QDAP, the photons are absorbed in the DWELL active region while the APD section provides gain. Photocurrent and noise measurements at 77 K were taken to characterize the response of the device. The nonlinear increase in the photocurrent as the APD voltage increases support theoretical predictions about the QDAP capability to work in applications with low photon flux levels. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]